The day Caomhán Ó Raghallaigh began living as a man in June 2012 — “the day I became myself,” he calls it — was a moment of immense personal liberation.
It was also a political opportunity for Ó Raghallaigh, 57, who was born female. Weeks later, with support from his two children and the man he married 30 years ago, he signed up to work for a state representative in Texas’ overwhelmingly conservative Capitol, where he would brush shoulders with lawmakers at a time when he was beginning hormone therapy.
“I said, ‘I am political capital because I’m going to start transitioning right before session begins, and I want to be in the Capitol where they can see it,’” said Ó Raghallaigh, who is now leading an effort against a set of bills that would criminalize people who use public restrooms not designated for their biological sex.
It was a rare chance for a transgender person to gain visibility in state government. Despite recent political gains for the Texas lesbian, gay and bisexual community — including a pending repeal of the state’s same-sex marriage ban, now in federal appeals court — transgender advocates say they have struggled to gain similar acceptance.
Two bills filed this year by state Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, would make it a crime to enter a public restroom or locker room not designated for a person’s biological sex at birth. And two more filed by state Rep. Gilbert Peña, R-Pasadena, would permit a bystander to sue a transgender person who used a prohibited bathroom for up to $2,000, in addition to compensation for “mental anguish.” The legislation, Ó Raghallaigh says, would effectively put a bounty on his head for trying to use the bathroom that matches his gender identity.
Social conservatives say the bills, which have been referred to the House State Affairs Committee, are designed to protect people from assault in public restrooms.
Just remember that these social conservatives are lying through their teeth about the alleged “menace” of letting people use the bathroom. Also, the vile Steven Hotze spends way, way, way more time thinking about other people’s sexual activities and bathroom habits than normal people do. You tell me who the “pervert” is. I don’t even know what else there is to say.
I’ve debated this with people online, and what they have come up with is this (apparently):
There are a lot of male would-be kidnappers of young girls who are waiting to commit their crimes until they can legally get into women’s restrooms.
Sure, there’s no evidence of anything like this in other jurisdictions with laws that specifically allow transgender individuals to choose the bathroom where they’re comfortable, but surely it’s true or else why would people keep using that argument?
And two more filed by state Rep. Gilbert Peña, R-Pasadena, would permit a bystander to sue a transgender person who used a prohibited bathroom for up to $2,000, in addition to compensation for “mental anguish.”
And this is what happens when voters stay home. His campaign literature even stated his distaste for transgender rights.
Getting good, thinking voters to the polls has to be the top priority for Dems in all elections.